Jeanne,

I've seen lots of 4-month-old babies change nursing patterns quite suddenly.
They do sort of wake up to what else is around them.  Sounds like this baby
may need *everything* off in order to get into it, including the mom.  From
what you wrote, it seems as though the mom wants to breastfeed on *her*
terms, though, or does she mind the night nursing?  Perhaps the baby senses
this and, even if in a quiet room, may be responding to *her* uneasiness
with having to leave another child running around the house while she
retreats to breastfeed the baby, something he wouldn't be experiencing
during the night.

I agree with the thought that he might not like what he sees, or hears, for
that matter.  Looks like he's found a way to get what he wants, though.
I've seen lots of employed moms end up with all night feeders as the babies
get older.

Lorri Centineo
LLL Leader
Maine State Breastfeeding Task Force